Benjamin, Epidemic in New Bern,
pages 18 through 22

We would refer in this connection to the valuable services
rendered by Dr. Memminger throughout the whole pernicious season; and the
community and the Government may heartily congratulate themselves that a
gentleman like Col. Heaton, who has so closely identified himself with their
interests, and distinguished himself in the administration of the Sixth Special
Agency of the United States Treasury Department, has been spared to continue
among us. The accomplished gentleman, valuable citizen, and firm uncompromising
patriot.

Dr. Bellangée found his grave at Morehead City; and Dr.
Brannigan, Assistant Sugeon of the 99th New York Volunteers, who was on duty in
New Berne, perished about the same time. Their names can never be forgotten,
although no towering monument emblazons them. Dr. ----------, who came from Fort
Monroe to assist, only lived a few days--a speedy victim. They and Dr. Wilson
will live in letters of light in New Berne's history. Dr. P.B. Rice was then
appointed President of the Board of Health, which consisted of himself, Lieut.
Col. Poor, Chief Provost Marshal, and ----------. The city was subjected to the
most thorough cleansing, and from the quantity of lime
strown about, one might have easily imagined a snow storm. To the
indefatigable exertions of the Medical Director, Dr. Hand, and Surgeon P.B.
Rice, may we justly ascribe the early abatement of the epidemic in November, and
they richly deserve the everlasting gratitude of the community.

In continuing our melancholy duty, we must pay a tribute to
the memory of Mr. CHARLES A.S. PERKINS, merchant, with his brother LUCIEN
PERKINS, at the corner of Broad and Middle Streets. Mr. Perkins had been home on
a visit to his family, and returned with them, to find the yellow fever
existing. His brothers, William and Lucien, were

first in the grasp of the remorseless enemy. Day and night
found him at their bedside; and, in all probability, he nobly sacrificed his own
life in obedience to the promptings of fraternal affection and solicitude. In an
obituary of the death of Lucien and Charles, it is said:

“Few individuals have been more intimately known and
beloved throughout the country, for all those genial and social qualities that
draw to themselves the spontaneous friendship and good will of all who come
within the sphere of their influence. For many years Charles was the publisher
and editor of the Plymouth Rock, and, during President Buchanan's
Administration, was the able, efficient and popular Postmaster of this town.
From a sense of duty he volunteered his services, and went to New Berne, as 1st
Lieutenant of Co. B., Standish Guards, in the 3d Massachusetts Regiment. He gave
himself entirely to the faithful performance of his duty, and devoted his whole
time and energy to the comfort of his men, who idolized him. He might have
escaped the pestilence but for his devotion to his brothers. But a mysterious
Providence ordered otherwise, and an untimely death has cut him off in the prime
of life and usefulness.”

Lucien Perkins was Adjutant of the 3d Massachusetts
Infantry, a young man of fine address and superior abilities, whose death
darkens the gloom and shrouds the hearts of his parents.

In the Post Office, first Mr. Bryant died, the general
delivery clerk, then Robert ----------; and matters in that department were
paralyzed to that degree, that the mails could neither be assorted or made up.

Of those who left New Berne, and were placed in Quarantine
at Fortress Monroe, the following will be remembered:

C. W. GIDDINGS, firm of S. BLAGGE & CO.

JOHN ELKINS, of CARVER & ELKINS.

Both of those gentlemen took their departure during the
incipient stage of the pestilence, confident of reaching New York in safety; but
the seeds of the disease had been too thoroughly implanted in their systems, and
the destroyer's work was accomplished but too well and soon.

It was evident that Mr. Elkins was a sufferer; he was
buoyant with hope, but the fears of his friends were realized. Messrs. Giddings
and Elkins help to swell the number of estimable men who have gone from us in
the month of sorrow.

Col. T. J. C. EMORY, Colonel of the 17th Massachusetts
Volunteers, and Acting Brigadier General, commanding the Sub-district of
Beaufort, was a gentleman of most admirable address, and a perfect soldier. His
obituary has been so excellently written in the journals of the Northern States,
that all we could add would be but a simple repetition. But there is an incident
connected with his death, that we must allude to. On the night previous, in the
midst of a black and furious storm, his favorite hounds, as though partaking of
the melancholy spirit of the time, had drawn to the spot a legion of confederate
dogs, rendering the night terribly hideous by their frantic howling. All effort
to disperse them proved entirely futile; and their demoniac rage, as they
coursed the street to and fro, resembled the revelling
of fiends, closing up the dreadful picture with dismal

horror, while the Colonel's spirit passed away. His
obituary was published in the Army avid Navy Journal, and was a just
tribute to the brave soldier and true man.

JOHN M. THOMPSON, Esq., of the firm of Thompson and Hayden,
was most active among the sick through the whole epidemic, giving his whole
attention to the dying.

Mrs. B. F. WRIGHT, the esteemed wife of Dr. B. F. Wright,
was a most exemplary lady. During her illness she was carefully and devotedly
attended by Mrs. George Bodine, who watched over her with a sister's devotion.
Mrs. Bodine deserves a faithful record, for her sincere and disinterested
attention to suffering humanity, for she chose rather to remain with the
afflicted than to flee into security.

Who will not remember ARCHIE DUNCAN, the light-hearted
Archie. Mr. Duncan, notwithstanding a physical defect which rendered him quite a
cripple, was one of the most active members of the Fire Department. His genial
nature overflowed with the milk of human kindness. In a long and successful
career of business he sustained an irreproachable character, and was known by
every one, and respected as a man of true and tried integrity. Peace to his
ashes.

No death palsied the public mind more than that of Mrs.
Charles Bellois, the lovely and accomplished wife of Lieut. Charles
Bellois, Quartermaster of the 132d New York Infantry, stationed at
Bachelor's Creek.

Lieut. Bellois had been appointed temporarily the
successor of Lieut. Brown, and was in his turn assailed; his devoted and
beautiful wife remaining with him, braving all peril for his sake, and
subsequent to his recovery succumbed herself, and died.

It is such afflictions as these which crack the very
heartstrings, and make life an intolerable burden. Days, weeks, and months of
constant devotion, radiant with ardent hope

for happiness in the future, plans of domestic bliss,
schemes and projects for mutual delight--all, all vanished, and the world
becomes a terrible blank. Mrs. Bellois was a lady of uncommon beauty, and the
idol of her husband, possessing personal attractions and charms of mind, which
rendered her the envy of her sex and the undisguised admiration of all. She will
never be forgotten by those who had the pleasure of knowing her, and we may
never again see her counterpart here. Her fairy form, angelic smile and
indescribable beauty, made her too beautiful for this world, and the Almighty
took her to himself. In her last moments she was surrounded by a circle of
sorrowing friends, among whom were the A.A. General, Capt. J.A. Judson, and
Surgeon P.B. Rice. The arrangements for Mrs. Bellois's funeral were entirely
directed by Capt. Judson, whose sympathy for her bereaved husband was altogether
worthy of his generous disposition and noble heart. Almost simultaneous with the
death of Mrs. Bellois, the wife of Lieut. Pearce, Acting Ordnance officer, also
departed this life. A lady whose exit from this world following so close upon
that of the former lady, added another cloud to the dreadful gloom of the tine.
One soul following another to the realms of the unknown world, pulses ceasing
and eyes closing, as they enter upon the great threshold of eternity, yielding
up this world and disappearing, like dying waves along the shore.

Images scanned by John B. Green, III. Text prepared by
John B. Green, III and Victor T. Jones, Jr.
This page last edited on
November 20, 2014.

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